Winners galore at S. Thomas’ Mt. Lavinia prize giving

The S. Thomas’ College ( STC), Mount Lavinia 2019 prize giving was held on January 31 under the patronage of the STC Board of Governors Chairman, Bishop of Colombo Rev. Dhiloraj Canagasabey and Chief Guest, Carey College Principal Hemamali Bibile. She was accompanied to the event by her husband Maurice Bibile.

The College Warden, Rev. Marc Billimoria highlighted some of the key achievements of the school during the year, in both academic and extra-curricular activities, in his Annual Report.

Out of the 182 students who sat the G.C.E. O/L Exams in December 2018, 172 (94.5%) had qualified to follow A/L courses, while 26 schoolboys had obtained 9 Distinctions.

Out of the 245 students that sat the G.C.E. A/L Exams in August 2019, 180 students (73%) had qualified to apply to State Universities. Eight schoolboys had secured 3As, and among them A. S. Thoufeek ranked 19th in the district and 43rd in the island with a Z-score of 2.7304 in the Biological Science stream.

At the London A/L A2 exam held in June 2019 Thomians had secured a total number of 10A*s and 15 As. J. C. Perera obtained the best results with 4 A*s and a world prize, which won him the Hinton de Alwis Senevirathne Memorial Prize for the most outstanding academic achievement of the year.

Rev. Billimoria spoke of the many achievements STC had received in 26 sports and games and the 56 clubs and societies offered in the school. Apart from the outstanding first XI Cricket team, the Warden highlighted the 18 Thomians who represented Sri Lanka in seven sports during the year.

He also commented on the challenges faced by the education system.

“We continue to struggle with the need to encourage more creativity, critical thinking and innovation while being trapped in an outdated, heavily standardised and straightjacketed education system that leaves little room for flexibility.

For years this system has paid only lip service to the need for more child- centered learning," the Warden said.

“It is the duty of a school like this to ensure the transmission of right values especially if parents shun their responsibility to do so. Either out of fear of their sons or a misplaced understanding of the need to be popular with their children.”

“For 169 years our school has been a community that has authentically tried to celebrate 'Unity in Diversity.' We have not always got things right. But we have never stopped trying. As an Anglican School we have always tried to be a truly inclusive community where everyone is welcome and given equal opportunities."

"No one is excluded on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, economic class, caste, lifestyle, language or ability. The reactions we experienced after the Easter Sunday bombings and in the days following the Presidential Election in November, challenged and reminded us that St. Thomas’ College has never succumbed to the spirit of the age even when fires of racial hatred burnt outside our walls," the Warden said.

The Chief Guest Hemamali Bible, a veteran educationist with nearly 50 years of teaching experience, spoke about the value of good teachers and how education is a great equaliser. She also spoke of the sort of education that schools like St. Thomas’ offer , highlighting the need for formation of sound character.

“Look at what is happening around us - the level of corruption, intolerance, violence and hate speech. You can make the change by being trustworthy and dependable, respecting others, being kind, tolerating others with different views and being generous at all times. Whatever you have learnt during your years here in college, whether in the classroom or playing field, will hold you in good stead and there will be a time when your character will be tested," Mrs Bibile said.

"Doing well in studies is important because in today’s competitive world, educational qualifications are the stepping stones towards building a successful career. But at the same time excelling in sports and extra-curricular activities is equally important. It makes you a team player and you learn how to get along with others and not remain isolated or become a selfcentered individual," she added.

The ceremony ended with the Vote of Thanks proposed by Sub Warden Asanka Perera which was seconded by Head Prefect, K. W. M. S. Hapuhinna.